Symphony No. 4 in B Major

Quick Facts

• Written between 1945-46, while the composer recuperated from his war injuries and trauma in Switzerland.
  • Learn more about the composer’s experience in WWII on his main page.
• The symphony didn’t receive its premiere until 1981, conducted by Sir Edward Downes.
• *Possibly nicknamed “Arctic”

About the Piece

• On the title page of the score, Lloyd wrote, “A world of darkness, storms, strange colors, and a far away peacefulness.”
• The several-decades-long delay in the work’s premiere was likely because Lloyd was a diehard practitioner of tonality and lyrical melodic lines in an era when avant-garde was on trend.¹
• *Note from Rebecca – who is responsible for ascribing the nickname “Arctic” is unclear but is likely in reference to the composer’s wartime experience on a convoy in the North Atlantic Sea.

1. William Lloyd, Notes in accompanying booklet, George Lloyd: Symphony No. 4 “Arctic” performed by Albany Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Lloyd, TROY 498, 2002, compact disc.